Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Cultural Breath of Fresh Air Past Review

By (Elementary And Special Education, Western Washington University) - abroad from 07/16/2012 to 09/21/2012 with

EducatorsAbroad: Traveling - Student Teaching (10-18 Weeks)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I now know so much about the Maori culture. I know how to work with a much less strict curriculum than I'm used to, the freedom was a breath of fresh air but It also made me much more aware of what I was teaching and staying focused. This whole experience was definitely worthwhile, even that's an understatement.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had to go to the Chiropractor for multiple visits and everything was handled very nicely. Paid a general visit fee and that's it. People were incredibly friendly and helpful, they answered all the questions.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

All about managing priorities... Home stay was only 120 week for me and this included food so I was very fortunate. Weekend and evening entertainment was the expensive aspect of the trip. Seeing the sites had proven to not come cheaply. But it's so worth it!

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? varied but I;'d say about 200 or so a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving early rather than later, things are SUPER expensive in NZ and there are a lot of fun tourist things to do that don't come cheap either.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Superviser and support staff were helpful
  • Host family: Mum was a teacher at my school, such a posisitive experience and definite plus!
* What could be improved?
  • The expectattions in the handbook both for the student teacher and supervisor were a bit vague.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A more accurate estimate of costs and expenses. I think I would've benefited from some key resources regarding NZ curriculum that i received after being here a few weeks in. Having this information would have been worthwhile before beginning the internship.